Chipotle brings back ‘top requested menu item’ for a limited time

( KTLA ) – Chipotle announced Tuesday that smoked brisket, its “top requested menu item,” will return to participating restaurants nationwide.

“We are listening to our guests and bringing this fan-favorite menu innovation out of the vault after three years,” Chris Brandt, chief brand officer at Chipotle, said in a statement . “This premium protein is sure to delight guests looking to taste the difference of brisket prepared the Chipotle way.”

Chipotle initially debuted smoked brisket three years ago, with the meat option hitting menus in September 2021, Nation’s Restaurant News reports. Brisket proved to be such a success – before inventory ran out in November – that Chief Financial Officer Jack Hartung said during a 2022 earnings call that it was one of the highest-performing menu options to date, according to the site.

The brisket is made with real beef, seared on the plancha, and seasoned with spices, including smoked serrano chili pepper and chipotle chili pepper, according to the company. It is then hand-chopped into bite-sized pieces and topped with a brisket sauce made with smoky chili peppers.

Chipotle said the smoked brisket is also prepared in small batches throughout the day to maintain freshness.

For those who haven’t tried the smoked brisket, Nevielle Panthaky, Chipotle’s vice president of culinary, recommends having a Smoked Brisket Burrito Bowl with white rice, black beans, fresh tomato salsa, and cheese.

To celebrate its return, Chipotle will offer a $0 delivery fee offer on all Smoked Brisket orders placed through the Chipotle app or website from Sept. 12 until Sept. 29.

Chipotle declined to give exact locations of participating U.S. restaurants, but did say it isn’t being served at locations in Nashville, Tenn. and Sacramento, Calif. that are testing the company’s Honey Chicken protein option .

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